Security Guards Salary in California
Security Guards in California earn a median annual wage of $43,240 —13.7% above the national median of $38,020. That ranks CA #13 of 51 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment is 1.33× as concentrated as the national average, making California a strong market for this occupation.
Highest-paying states for security guards
All 51 states ranked by median annual wage. California is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $64,210 | $30.87 | 15,880 | 2.74 |
| 2 | Alaska | $47,480 | $22.83 | 2,100 | 0.78 |
| 3 | Washington | $47,100 | $22.64 | 25,800 | 0.88 |
| 4 | Vermont | $45,550 | $21.90 | 930 | 0.37 |
| 5 | Oregon | $45,500 | $21.88 | 12,200 | 0.75 |
| 6 | New Hampshire | $45,200 | $21.73 | 2,450 | 0.43 |
| 7 | Colorado | $45,150 | $21.71 | 16,890 | 0.71 |
| 8 | Massachusetts | $44,670 | $21.48 | 23,930 | 0.80 |
| 9 | New York | $44,240 | $21.27 | 134,700 | 1.68 |
| 10 | Virginia | $43,640 | $20.98 | 34,870 | 1.03 |
Related occupations in California
Occupations in the same job family, compared within California.
| Occupation | California median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $118,880 | $76,210 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $96,370 | $58,940 |
| Firefighters | $85,120 | $59,280 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $42,720 | $33,580 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $163,960 | $106,040 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $124,840 | $93,790 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do security guards make in California?
The median annual wage for security guards in California is $43,240, or $20.79 per hour. That is 13.7% above the national median of $38,020.
What is the entry-level security guards salary in California?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $36,010 per year ($17.31/hour). The 25th percentile is $37,180.
How many people work as security guards in California?
About 199,480 people work in this occupation in California, or 11.0 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is California a good state for security guards?
California ranks #13 of 51 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is 1.33x as concentrated as the national average, making California a strong market for this occupation.
Which state pays security guards the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median wage at $64,210 per year, followed by Alaska ($47,480) and Washington ($47,100).